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Source: Times and Seasons Vol. 1 Chapter 4 Page: 56

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56 and dear, and dispise [despise] no man for differing with me in matters of opinion.

Accept Dear Sir, my best wishes for your welfare, and desire for further acquaintance, I close my letter, by giving you some quotations which you will have the goodness to read.

The second epistle of Paul to Timothy, 1:5-7. 2:10-14. 4:2-7. Ephesians 4:10-18. 1st Corinthians 12:1-31. 8:3-6. Ephesians 4:1-8. The 1st Epistle of John 1: Mathew, 3:13-17. St. John 3:1-16. 10:1-50. 28:18-20. St Luke 24:45-53. If you wish another address on this subject, you have only to let me know, and it shall be attended to.

Yours truly, JOSEPH SMITH, Jr.

N. B. If Bishop Partridge, or if the church have not made a purchase of your land, and if there is not any one who feels a particular interest in making the purchase, you will hold it in reserve for us; we will purchase it of you at the proposals that you made to Mr. Barlow. We think the church would be wise in making the contract, therefore, if it is not made before we are liberated, we will make it.

Yours &c. JOSEPH SMITH, Jr.

For the Times and Seasons. Messrs. Editors. The High Council of this place has directed that I should say, that they have learned that your embarrassed situation, much presses you for funds to defray the unavoidable expenses attending your printing establishment. And having learned that from your subscribers and patrons, funds for the benefit of your press, have been sent by the hands of some persons whose integrity might have been thought pure, who have needlessly prevented such funds from reaching the place of destination. The high council wish a public expression of their entire disapprobation, to any, and all such acts of detentions of monies [moneys], intended for either the press, or any other use in the church.

The high council lament their poverty, in not being able, as agents for the church, to sustain the press, with funds necessary to effect a work so interesting and needful. One so much desired, and looked for, by our friends in the East, who, no doubt, desire to be often informed concerning the situation of us in the West; particularly since the Missouri outrage was committed on us. For the satisfaction of our friends, I might here say, that in contrasting our present situation with what it was one year ago, it should long since, have from us all, called forth the liveliest sensation of gratitude, and with homage have been tendered to our heavenly Benefactor; that He who scattered Israel, has wisely and mercifully directed our escape from the vengeance of a tyrant, who, through an unhallowed clan, dealt unmercifully to us, a train of afflicting circumstances of evils, that thrust upon us events of that foul and malicious tragedy, that forced from our bosoms to martyrdom, so many, who, to gather with the saints, left the land of their nativity and friends, and located themselves with us in the West. They are gone hence, and to our care, and protection, are left widows, orphans, and emaciated, and broken constitutions, that often terminate in martyrdom, by premature deaths, being brought on by sufferings and cruelties from a ruthless bandity of Governor Boggs, whose edict on us of exilement, forced us from our houses and the State, at in inclement season of the year. Imagination seemed nearly baffled for a time, where to find a resting place beneath the heavens.

But can we be permitted to congratulate the heavens, the church and the whole world, that we have located ourselves amid the republicans of the State of Illinois; about fifty miles above Quincy on the Mississippi River, in that State; where we have bought land, laid out a city, commenced building settling &c. The printing establishment, for a time, lingered by reason of long and tedious illness of the Editors; but is now in a promisory [promissory] prosperous operation, excepting a lack of funds needful to defray the inevitable expenses-for who but must know that it requires cash to prepare, and procure a suitable building, materials, paper, ink, &c. to enable them to print the first paper, and who can expect papers sent to them, without advancing the pay-or what elder acts wisely, as

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